Christening Cake from 1894

(originally produced by Terry’s of York).

Extract from an article about the Royal Christening of Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David, later to become King Edward VIII then Duke of Windsor, First child of Duke and Duchess of York later to become King George V and Queen Mary.  Christening took place at White Lodge, Richmond on Monday 16 July 1894.

By Sarah Maultby – 9 May 2002

 

From the Yorkshire Gazette – 21 July 1894

“… There were three christening cakes, one each from York, Cheltenham and Edinburgh.  The cake from York was supplied by Messrs Joseph Terry and Sons, and was forwarded to White Lodge, Richmond on the 4th instant by special messenger.  This handsome specimen of high-class confectionery was in two tiers, the total weight being sixty pounds.  It rested on an ornamental square base, the four sides of which were panelled in pink satin, pleated.  Upon the centre of each panel festoons were placed in which the white rose, thistle, shamrock and hawthorn blossom were introduced.  A battlemented wall representative of the walls of York was run round the top of the square, and within the space thus enclosed the tiers of the cake, circular in form were fixed.  In the spaces at the corners admirable reproductions in miniature of the four bars formed a most tasteful embellishment, and the effect was heightened by the introduction of cupids in shells drawn by doves.  Festoons of a similar character to those on the base adorned the first tier of the cake, being interspersed with four shields alternately representing the Royal arms and the arms of the Duke and Duchess.  The devices and quarterings were hand-painted.  The second tier was also decorated with floral festoons and panels representing a ship in full sail, anchors. &c.  Surmounting the whole was a elegantly-designed, centre-piece, finely ornamented, and upon it stood a figure of Britannia, with the usual emblematical lighthouse and vessel.  Two white satin flags, each bearing a floral design consisting of white roses and May blossom, sprung from each side of the cake.  The ornamentation of the cake, which was carried out in sugar, was most artistically designed, and has been executed with admirable skill.  The height of the cake from the base to the top of the centre-piece was fully four feet…”

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Replica christening cake for the York Castle Museum – By Lesley Dalton and Judy Banks – September 2002